Oat milk has become a staple for many people looking to adopt a more plant-based diet. Whether you’re already vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, or simply curious, this drink appeals with its nutritional characteristics, mild taste, and lactose-free nature. However, many wonder if it’s more economical to make it themselves or buy it from the store. In this article, we will examine the real cost of homemade oat milk, compare it to industrial versions, and review the practical, nutritional, and ecological aspects that may influence the decision.

1. A Brief Overview of Oat Milk

Oat milk is a plant-based beverage made from oats and water. When we talk about plant milk, it is not milk in the strict sense of the term, as only animal milk (such as cow, goat, or sheep milk) can legally bear the name “milk” in some countries. However, for convenience, the term “oat milk” is widely used in everyday language and the food industry.

1.1. The Benefits of Oats

Oats are a complete food, rich in fiber (notably beta-glucans), B vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and iron. Beta-glucans, known for their beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, also have a positive impact on digestion. Additionally, oats are naturally lactose-free and low in saturated fats.

1.2. Why So Popular

Several factors explain the growing popularity of oat milk:

• The desire to reduce dairy consumption for health reasons (lactose intolerance, allergies, digestive issues) or ethical reasons (animal welfare, reducing carbon footprint).
• The mild and creamy profile of oat milk, which is perfect for many culinary preparations or as a hot/cold drink.
• The ecological aspect: oats require fewer resources than animal dairy production and emit less greenhouse gas.

2. The Cost of Industrial Oat Milk

Industrial oat milks are easily found in supermarkets, organic stores, or specialty shops. Prices vary based on several factors: brand, manufacturing processes, possible fortification (addition of calcium, vitamins D or B12), distribution location, etc.

2.1. Price Range in Stores

Generally, one-liter cartons of organic oat milk range between €1.70 and €2.50 depending on the brand. For conventional versions (non-organic), prices can be slightly lower: around €1.50 to €2.00 per liter. Some more premium products, enriched with calcium or unique ingredients (e.g., gluten-free oats, premium oats, etc.) can go up to €3 per liter.

2.2. Packaging and Distribution Costs

The price of industrial oat milk includes packaging costs (carton brick, plastic lid, or tetra pak), transportation to purchasing centers, distributor margin, marketing costs, and sometimes research and development expenses around the recipe. All these elements affect the final price for the consumer, regardless of the initial cost of the oats themselves.

2.3. Promotions and Loyalty

It is common to find promotions in supermarkets or from certain online distributors. Buying multiple cartons at once or taking advantage of special offers can reduce the unit cost. Additionally, some loyalty cards regularly offer discount vouchers on plant-based drinks that compete with animal milks.

3. The Cost of Homemade Oat Milk

Making homemade oat milk is relatively simple. It mainly requires oats, water, and sometimes salt or natural sweeteners (dates, agave syrup, etc.). Let’s take a closer look at what this implies economically.

3.1. Basic Ingredients

To make one liter of homemade oat milk, you generally need:

• 50 to 80 g of oats (depending on the desired consistency).
• 1 L of water (preferably filtered if tap water quality is unsatisfactory).
• Optionally, a pinch of salt to enhance the taste.
• Optionally, a natural sweetener (maple syrup, dates, etc.) and/or a bit of oil to improve texture.

Focusing solely on the main cost, it mainly involves the oats. Depending on the brand, type (organic or not), and bulk purchase or not, 500 g of oats can cost between €1.00 and €3.00.

3.2. Cost Estimation per Liter

Let’s take a concrete example:

• A 500 g bag of organic oats costs €2.50.
• For one liter of oat milk, 50 g of oats are used.
• The cost in oats is therefore €2.50 / (500/50) = €2.50 / 10 = €0.25.

This results in approximately €0.25 for one liter of oat milk, excluding any sweetener or a splash of oil. Adding these factors, the final cost can be estimated around €0.30 to €0.40 per liter, still significantly lower than most industrial oat milks.

3.3. Bulk Purchase and Economies of Scale

By buying large bags of oats (1 kg, 2 kg, or more), especially in bulk, the price per kilo can drop significantly, sometimes to €1.50 per kilo for conventional oats. In these conditions, the cost of 50 g of oats then drops to about €0.08 to produce one liter of oat milk, making it extremely advantageous.

3.4. Equipment Cost

In addition to the cost of ingredients, a few accessories or equipment should be considered:

• A blender powerful enough to effectively grind the oats.
• A nut milk bag or a fine sieve/strainer to filter the mixture.

If you regularly cook, you may already have a blender or an immersion blender, and a simple fine-mesh strainer can suffice. The initial investment may seem high (a good blender can cost between €50 and €150 or more), but it also benefits many other preparations (smoothies, soups, etc.).

4. Advantageous Comparison… or Not

4.1. Average Compared Price

For many people, homemade oat milk costs between €0.20 and €0.50 per liter (all included), whereas industrial oat milk often ranges around €1.50 to €2.50 per liter. The difference is notable, especially if consuming several liters per week.

4.2. Time and Energy Factors

One should not overlook the time spent preparing oat milk. Although the recipe is easy and quick (a few minutes suffice), there may be dishes to wash afterward, as well as the need to properly filter the mixture to avoid a grainy texture. On the other hand, if you are already accustomed to home cooking, these few minutes may not be a hindrance.

Regarding energy, the blender and refrigerator (for storage) consume electricity, but the amount remains low compared to industrial production and the transport of a carton of plant milk.

4.3. Potential Drawbacks of Homemade Milk

• Shorter shelf life: generally, homemade oat milk keeps for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. It is therefore necessary to consume it quickly.
• Fewer added nutrients: most store-bought oat milks are fortified with calcium, vitamins D, or B12 to compensate for potential deficiencies. Homemade oat milk is not fortified and may have a lower nutritional profile if seeking these supplements.
• Texture may differ: industrial oat milk is processed to be homogenized and stabilized, while homemade milk may tend to separate more quickly and be less creamy unless adjusted (by adding a bit of oil, for example).

5. Nutritional and Practical Aspects

5.1. Nutritional Value

Oat milk is not naturally high in protein, unlike soy milk or cow’s milk. It contains about 1 g of protein per 100 ml, compared to 3 g for cow’s milk. In a varied plant-based diet, this is not necessarily a problem, provided enough legumes, whole grains, and other sources of plant proteins are consumed.

The industrial version is often enriched with calcium, which can be an advantage for those who do not consume dairy products. However, relying too much on these enriched products can mask the need to balance one’s diet with other sources of minerals and vitamins.

5.2. Storage and Use

Industrial oat milk can be stored for a long time before opening, thanks to UHT sterilization and its packaging. Once opened, it keeps for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Homemade oat milk deteriorates more quickly (2 or 3 days). However, you can adjust the quantity produced to always have a fresh drink and avoid waste.

If you enjoy improvising a homemade latte or cappuccino, know that most industrial oat milks specially formulated for baristas are more stable when steamed and froth easily. Homemade oat milk can froth, but often less well, unless testing specific recipes or adding certain ingredients to improve texture.

6. How to Make Your Own Oat Milk

For those who wish to try homemade production, here is a simple and effective recipe.

6.1. Basic Recipe

Ingredients:

• 50 g of oats (fine or thick, depending on the desired consistency).
• 1 L of water.
• 1 pinch of salt (optional).
• 1 to 2 pitted dates or a tablespoon of maple syrup (optional).

Steps:

1. In a blender, place the oats and half of the water. Blend for a few seconds until a homogeneous mixture is obtained.
2. Add the rest of the water, the pinch of salt, and the optional sweetener. Blend again.
3. Filter the mixture through a nut milk bag or a very fine sieve, pressing well to extract the maximum liquid.
4. Transfer to a bottle or airtight container, then store in the refrigerator.

6.2. Tips for Better Results

• Avoid overheating or over-blending: blending too long can make your oat milk slimy due to the starch released. Blending for 30 seconds to 1 minute is sufficient.
• Prefer cold or lukewarm water: using hot water can enhance the sticky texture.
• Add a bit of neutral oil (1 tablespoon) in the blender for more creaminess, especially if you want a creamier “barista” milk.
• Save the residual pulp (oat okara) for other recipes: muesli, cookies, spreads, etc.

7. Ecological Impact and Responsibility

7.1. Carbon Footprint

The production of plant-based drinks, including oat milk, generally emits less greenhouse gas than cow’s milk production. Oats require fewer resources for cultivation (less water, less land, less feed for livestock, etc.). However, the transport and packaging of industrial milks involve a significant environmental impact.

When making your own oat milk, you can choose locally grown oats, buy in bulk to reduce packaging, and thus decrease the overall carbon footprint. It also avoids multiple truck trips for delivery from the factory to the store, then from the store to home.

7.2. Waste Reduction

A carton of industrial oat milk generates waste (cardboard + plastic packaging) that is not always fully recyclable depending on waste treatment channels. By opting for homemade, the amount of necessary packaging is significantly reduced, especially if buying oats in bulk.

7.3. Water Consumption

It is true that the filtering process can consume a bit of water (rinsing equipment), but this remains generally minimal compared to the amounts of water mobilized for animal dairy production. Oats are considered a relatively robust and less demanding cereal than other crops.

8. Should You Favor Homemade or Industrial?

The choice between homemade oat milk and store-bought oat milk depends on several factors, including:

• Your budget: if you consume large quantities of oat milk, homemade can quickly prove very interesting.
• Your time and motivation: making your own oat milk requires a slight time investment.
• Your nutritional needs: if you rely on calcium or vitamin enrichment, industrial milk can be an asset.
• Your taste preferences: some people prefer the taste of a more standardized industrial milk, while others prefer the freshness of homemade milk.
• Access to resources: can you easily find bulk oats at a good price near you?

Overall, if you regularly consume oat milk, the homemade option is very advantageous economically and ecologically. Industrial, on the other hand, remains practical, stable, and enriched, which can be relevant for certain populations.

9. Conclusion

In summary, homemade oat milk presents a significantly lower cost than industrial versions, ranging from €0.20 to €0.50 per liter compared to often more than €1.50 in supermarkets. This price difference is largely explained by packaging, logistics, marketing, and the enrichment processes of industrial milks.

From a nutritional standpoint, oat milk does not have a very high protein content and is not necessarily enriched with vitamins when homemade. However, within a varied plant-based diet, this is not a major drawback. For those who do not consume dairy products or seek to limit their environmental footprint, oats are an excellent alternative.

Beyond cost, there are other parameters to consider: ease of use, access to quality products, shelf life, possible nutrient additions, etc. Nevertheless, if you are looking to save money and reduce waste, making your own homemade oat milk is a simple, cost-effective, and ecological approach. All you need is a blender, oats, and a bit of organization to enjoy a delicious plant-based drink daily.

Making your own oat milk also allows you to take control of your consumption and the quality of what you put on your plate (or in your cup). You learn to better manage ingredients, limit additives, and personalize your milk by flavoring it or playing with texture. Moreover, this practice encourages culinary creativity and the search for more sustainable alternatives in daily life.

In conclusion, comparing the real cost of homemade oat milk and industrial oat milk reveals a clear advantage for the “DIY” version, especially for heavy consumers. However, industrial remains a practical and nutritionally interesting choice for those seeking convenience or an enriched product. The final decision will depend on your lifestyle, budget, and ecological values. In any case, oat milk, whether homemade or store-bought, is a tasty and planet-friendly option, in line with a more responsible plant-based diet.